Adoption of the Human Rights Declaration
Eleanor Roosevelt
December 9, 1949
Speech Background
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (October 11, 1884 - November 7, 1962) was an American human rights activist, and the wife of President Franklin D.
Roosevelt. Her concern for humanity made her the driving force behind the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has endured as the
standard of achievement worldwide. She presented this speech on December 9, 1948 before the UN General Assembly as she submitted the Declaration
for review.
The Speech
Mr. President, fellow delegates:
The long and meticulous study and debate of which this Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the product means that it reflects the
composite views of the many men and governments who have contributed to its formulation. Not every man nor every government can have what he
wants in a document of this kind. There are of course particular provisions in the declaration before us with which we are not fully satisfied.
I have no doubt this is true of other delegations, and it would still be true if we continued our labors over many years. Taken as a whole the
Delegation of the United States believes that this is a good document - even a great document - and we propose to give it our full
support. The position of the United States on the various parts of the declaration is a matter of record in the Third Committee. I shall not
burden the Assembly, and particularly my colleagues of the Third Committee, with a restatement of that position here.
Certain provisions of the declaration are stated in such broad terms as to be acceptable only because of the limitations in article 29
providing for limitation on the exercise of the rights for the purpose of meeting the requirements of morality, public order, and the general
welfare. An example of this is the provision that everyone has the right of equal access to the public service in his country. The basic
principle of equality and of nondiscrimination as to public employment is sound, but it cannot be accepted without limitations. My government,
for example, would consider that this is unquestionably subject to limitation in the interest of public order and the general welfare. It would
not consider that the exclusion from public employment of persons holding subversive political beliefs and not loyal to the basic principles
and practices of the constitution and laws of the country would in any way infringe upon this right.
Likewise, my Government has made it clear in the course of the development of the declaration that it does not consider that the economic
and social and cultural rights stated in the declaration imply an obligation on governmental action. This was made quite clear in the Human
Rights Commission text of article 23 which served as a so-called "umbrella" article to the articles on economic and social rights. We consider
that the principle has not been affected by the fact that this article no longer contains a reference to the articles which follow it. This in
no way affects our whole-hearted support for the basic principles of economic, social, and cultural rights set forth in these articles.
In giving our approval to the declaration today it is of primary importance that we keep clearly in mind the basic character of the document.
It is not a treaty; it is not an international agreement. It is not and does not purport to be a statement of basic principles of law or legal
obligation. It is a declaration of basic principles of human rights and freedoms, to be stamped with the approval of the General Assembly by
formal vote of its members, and to serve as a common standard of achievement for all peoples of all nations.
We stand today at the threshold of a great event both in the life of the United Nations and in the life of mankind, that is the approval by
the General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recommended by the Third Committee. This declaration may well become the
international Magna Carta of all men everywhere. We hope its proclamation by the General Assembly will be an event comparable to the
proclamation of the Declaration of the Rights of the Man by the French people in 1789, the adoption of the Bill of Rights by the people of
the United States, and the adoption of comparable declarations at different times in other countries.
At a time when there are so many issues on which we find it difficult to reach a common basis of agreement, it is a significant fact
that 58 states have found such a large measure of agreement in the complex field of human rights. This must be taken as testimony of our
common aspiration first voiced in the Charter of the United Nations to lift men everywhere to a higher standard of life and to a greater enjoyment
of freedom. Man's desire for peace lies behind this declaration. The realization that the fragrant violation of human rights by Nazi and
Fascist countries sowed the seeds of the last world war has supplied the impetus for the work which brings us to the moment of
achievement here today.
In a recent speech in Canada, Gladstone Murray said:
"The central fact is that man is fundamentally a moral being, that the light we have is imperfect does not matter so long as we are always
trying to improve it ... we are equal in sharing the moral freedom that distinguishes us as men. Man's status makes each individual an end
in himself. No man is by nature simply the servant of the state or of another man ... the ideal and fact of freedom-and not technology-are
the true distinguishing marks of our civilization."
This declaration is based upon the spiritual fact that man must have freedom in which to develop his full stature and through common
effort to raise the level of human dignity. We have much to do to fully achieve and to assure the rights set forth in this declaration. But
having them put before us with the moral backing of 58 nations will be a great step forward.
As we here bring to fruition our labors on this Declaration of Human Rights, we must at the same time rededicate ourselves to the unfinished
task which lies before us. We can now move on with new courage and inspiration to the completion of an international covenant on human rights
and of measures for the implementation of human rights.
In conclusion I feel that I cannot do better than to repeat the call to action by Secretary Marshall in his opening statement to this
Assembly:
"Let this third regular session of the General Assembly approve by an overwhelming majority the Declaration of Human Rights as a statement of
conduct for all; and let us, as Members of the United Nations, conscious of our own short-comings and imperfections, join our effort in all
faith to live up to this high standard."
Hints on Delivery
Effective delivery of a persuasive speech requires sincerity above all. A speaker who is not sincere has no hope of winning over an
audience.
When practicing delivery of a persuasive speech, bear in mind the following:
- Be sincere, enthusiastic, and passionate in delivery.
- Use vocal variety, but be careful not to get carried away and become shrill.
- Stand still and do not overdo with gestures - it will distract from the message.
- Regardless of how the audience reacts, always appear wise and in control.
See the Persuasive Speaking manual and the "The Persuasive Approach" speech in the Public Relations manual for persuasive speeches to
present.
Listen to the Speech
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